Monroe
Harbor Lighthouse, Monroe Light-Station and Otter Creek Lighthouse commonly
known as: “LaPlaisance Lighthouse” once stood as a beacons
of light along the shores of Lake Erie near Monroe, Michigan.
Early year (Raisin river & LaPlaisance bay)
The
mouth of the: “Raisin River” was once
quit shallow as it wound its way along the marshes and sandy shoals of: “LaPlaisance Bay.” Shipping and
passenger vessels coming inbound from Lake Erie would first dock at: “LaPlaisance Bay,” off load their cargo,
luggage and passengers. In most cases passengers would climb board horse drawn
carriages, wagons and railcars prior to their departure towards to the: “City of Monroe, Michigan Territory.”
There was another problem that continued to plague those trying to get to
Monroe! When the winds came out of the West, Lake Erie water levels had a
tendency to drop off some three to five feet. When this situation occurred
allowed small boats could make their way in the “LaPlaisance Bay.” In 1834,
there was a petition for put forth to the Congress requesting a canal that
would open up the mouth of the Raisin River into Lake Erie. Congress approved
the petition for: $100K and the canal project was underway. As prescribed by the
original appropriations, the Army Corps of Engineers dredge out the new canal
in various stages. In 1834, the canal project was finally completed and its new
location was some four miles from the original entrance point into “LaPlaisance Bay.” The Lighthouse Board, Fifth Auditors Office
recommended a: “Beacon Light” be
place at the mouth of the: “Raisin River.”
Author’s
Note:
“In
the Michigan Territory you now have a manmade canal and harbor along the shore
of Lake Erie. This should allow vessels easy access to Monroe, Michigan.”
Otter Creek
Lighthouse (LaPlaisance Lighthouse)
Otter
Creek Lighthouse was the first lighthouse located near Monroe, Michigan
Territory. Andrew Mack, Superintendent in Detroit, Michigan was responsible for
constructing the lighthouse and keeper’s quarters at: “Otter Creek.” In 1829, the U.S. Lighthouse Service completed all
construction duties associated with the lighthouse. Costs incurred by the U.S.
Government to build this government structure was listed as: “$3,947.78.”
Back then the structure was commonly known as “LaPlaisance Lighthouse”. John
A. Whipple was appointed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service as the first
Keeper-in-Charge. During the winter months, it was well documented that once
the Lake Erie was frozen over, pioneer Charles Lanman and some of his good
friends would ice skate their way along the Raisin River.
Author’s
Note:
“On the 14th day of June
1819, Charles Lanman was born in Monroe, Michigan Territory. During his life,
Charles was an author, government official, artist, librarian & employer. In
1845, Charles was the editor of the: “Monroe
Gazette.”
Charles and his friends would always end up at
Keeper’s John Whipple’s. Once inside his warm dwelling, they would make their
way to his parlor. Once everyone was seated Keeper Whipple would entertained his
noted guests. The other well-known reason why this group of men stopped by was,
Keeper Whipple would always serve them dinner.
Author’s
Note:
“With
the completion of the new canal, Otter Creek Lighthouse wasn’t really needed
anymore.”
Keeper John A.
Whipple (Additional Information)
on
the 9th day of March 1764, John A. Whipple was born in Manchester,
Massachusetts. His parents were Joseph Whipple and Eunice (Fairfield) Whipple. As I researched his records, I came across a
U.S Census record listing him as an active member of the: “Sons of the American Revolution.” His SAR number was listed as: “3073” and his rank at that time was: “Major.” In 1796, he migrated from
Manchester to the: “Northwest Territory.”
On the 11th day of January 1800, John at the age of thirty-five
married: “Archange Le Pelletier.” The
couple had one daughter, her name was: “Sophia
Catherine Whipple.” In 1809, he was appointed as an: “Associate Judge, Michigan Territorial District.” From 1818 to the
end of 1825, John was the proprietor of “Mansion
House.” Starting in 1826, and continuing through 1836, Whipple registered: “Michigan Deeds.” The 1830 U.S. Census,
listed his residence in: “Monroe,
Michigan Territory.” On the 19th day of May 1836, John passed
away at the age of sixty. His remains were laid to rest in: “Memorial Place Cemetery, Monroe, Michigan.”
Author’s
Note:
I can’t say, if Keeper John A.
Whipple death occurred while at the lighthouse, during a rescue or at home.”
Monroe Harbor
Lighthouse
On
the 12th day of August 1848, Congress approved: $3,522
for a new lighthouse to be constructed at Monroe Harbor. The new structures
would be completed prior to the start of the 1849 navigation season. During
that same year, “Otter Creek Lighthouse”
was “Decommissioned.” The abandoned lighthouse
sat empty until 1854. John Jacob Luft purchase “Otter Creek Lighthouse” from the U.S. Revenue Collector Strong for
the sum of: $10.00. In 1870, Mr. Luft: “Dismantled”
the lighthouse and adjoining structures. He used the rubble stones as the
foundation material for his new house and several other structures that were
situated on his land.
Author’s
Note:
“Was
Otter Creek Lighthouse lost due to our government’s lack of fore thought? Or
was it because they originated the designed and constructed of the Lighthouse
for what some called: the “Government
Canal?”
The structures were
maintain by the U.S. Government personnel now serving at: “Monroe Harbor Lighthouse.”
The beacon at that time was listed as: “Fixed Red” and was visible about
thirteen miles out into Lake Erie. The fuel use to keep the light illuminated
was listed as: “Oil.” Eventually the oil was replaced by what the
inspector deem as: “Turn of Century Electricity.” In 1860, the original
keeper’s quarter was constructed. It was rebuilt some thirty three years later.
In 1916, the fuel delivery system to the light was changed to: “Automated
Gas Lighting System.” During that same year the keeper’s quarters was: “Abandoned.” In 1922, the: “Harbor
Lighthouse” was: “Dismantled” and the materials were hauled away.
Author’s Note:
“Today there is nothing
left of: “Monroe Harbor Lighthouse!”
Keeper Peter Gussenbaur
On
the 10th day of June 1842, Peter Gussenbaur was born in Monroe,
Michigan Territory. According to his records there were six people in his
family. Peter was married twice. His first wife: “Eliza Rathburn.” While in Toledo, Ohio, Eliza gave birth to their
son: “John R. Gussenbaur.” She passed
away in Fairchild, Michigan Territory in 1864. Peter’s second wife, “Marian W. (Winslow) Bumpus” passed away
at age fifty-three. The couple had two children: “Forrest A. Gussenbaur (1872 to 1923)” and “Eliza Gussenbaur.”
What do we know about Keeper Peter Gussenbaur and his
time at Monroe Harbor Lighthouse? Well let’s dig into his past and see where it
takes us. According to my research, he told humorous stories, he always had a
witty remark and he was very blunt. Peter was always courteous to strangers or
visitors. He was cheerful, accommodating to all who needed a favor providing he
could be of some assistance. While serving as keeper, Peter always took the
time to welcome visitors to lighthouse. He always took the time to explain his
duties, even though his time was limited. Peter was well known to those
sailors, yachtsman, ships captains who ran from Toledo, Ohio to Detroit,
Michigan. Peter passed away on the 9th day of April 1904 at the age
of sixty-one. The cause of Peter’s death was listed as: “Stroke.” The following day at 11:00 a.m., there was a short
funeral service took place at: “Monroe
Lighthouse” inside the: “Keeper’s
Quarters.” Peter’s remains were brought up to the deck of a charter
tugboat. His casket was met at the dock by members of the: “Masonic Lodge.” They places his casket on a horse drawn hearse and
made their way to: “Woodlawn Cemetery.”
Peter’s casket was removed from the hearse and carried by some of the lodge
members over to his final resting place. He was buried with full “Masonic Honors”
Monroe light-station
Monroe
Light-Station Lighthouse once stood on two wood timber pier with wood pilings
that ran just about a 1/5th of a mile into Lake Erie. The U.S.
Lighthouse Service used this type of construction to keep the sand from
shifting and closing off the canal when the winds came out of the West. The
lighthouse was constructed completely out of wood. The tower was an octagonal
shape and placed at the end of the: “North
Pier.” Atop and centered in the lantern was a: “Fourth Order (Dioptric) 270 degree Fresnel lens” with a: “Ruby Chimney” or “Fixed Red Light” that was illuminated by a single oil wick lamp. The
keeper’s or his assistant kept light burning from dusk to dawn.
Relocated (Land Based station & Keeper’s Quarters)
In
1849, a 1½ story keeper’s quarters was constructed on the beach near the
water’s edge. The structure and foundation was built out of rough split
stone. The dwelling measured thirty-four feet by twenty feet with eight foot
ceilings. Inside there were four rooms, two upstairs and two rooms on the main
floor. There was a wood burning fireplace that was centered in the middle of
main floor. On the 30th day of September 1858, the station was
inspected by the Tenth Lighthouse District. In their report they listed the
following:
Light-Station
o
Beacon:
Fixed White
o
Location:
North Pier, entrance to Raisin River, Michigan Territory
o
Ventilator
Ball Height: 30 feet 6 inches
o
Focal
Plane: 42 feet
o
Tower
Color: White
o
Building
Materials: Wood
o
Lantern
Room Material: Iron w/Wood Floor
o
Type
of Apparatus: Catadioptric
o
Lens
Order: Fourth
o
Arc:
270 Degrees
o
Lamp
Description: One Valve
o
Oil
House Capacity: 2 Air Tight Oil Butts
Keeper’s
Quarters:
o
Color:
White w/Wood Roof (Shingled)
o
Size:
30 feet by 16 feet, Wing: 9 feet by 13 feet
o
Stories:
1½
The inspection report wasn’t completed by the District
Inspector. There were items left off. The first one was his name and the overall
health of the light-station was also left blank. In 1859, the keeper’s quarters
was deconstructed, moved and then reconstructed on the pier. It was placed
alongside the lighthouse. In 1884, the lighthouse and the keeper’s quarters
were rebuilt in the same location as the 1849 lighthouse. There actual process
to complete all work on the pier was listed at the end of 1895. Water was taken
from the Lake Erie via iron bucket the keeper’s dipped into the water. There
was an old wood lined cistern that was also used. It held about twenty barrels
of lake water. Just outside the keeper’s quarters was an old iron water pump that
was hookup to the cistern. The privy was situated on northeast corner of the
pier. On the 10th day of April 1885, Inspector Captain Chase E.
Davis, Engineer for the Tenth Lighthouse District was onsite and ready to start
his monthly inspector of the station. Captain Chas’s Inspection looked
completely different from one done in 1858. He was very thrall and there were a
few additional items added within his report. They are as follows:
o
Location:
On crib at the end of North Pier.
o
Point
of Origin: At entrance to shipping canal that leads into River Raisin,
approximately 1½ mile above the mouth of the river.
o
Lens:
180 degree, Fourth Order Dioptric Fresnel lens
o
Maker:
L. Sautter & Company C.I.E., Paris France
o
Arc:
Fixed visible West Northwest by South to North Northeast
o
Latitude:
42 deg. 53” 28” North
o
Longitude:
-83 deg. 19’ 53” West
o
Distance
from Tower to Nearest High Water Mark: 10 feet
o
Cribbing:
Pine Timbers, crib filled with stone approximately 12 feet below surface
o
Distance
from Monroe, Michigan: Three miles by Rowboat
o
Lake
Water: Plentiful, Quality: Good
The lighthouse tower at that time was connected to the
old dwelling. Inside there were two flights of stairs with handrails that were
situated on each side of the structure. There was a wood ladder that ran from
the base of the watch room up and into the iron lantern room.
1900’s
In
1902, the light-station went through some additional repairs and some of the
wood pilings were replaced. The “Boathouse”
was positioned on the Inner End of the North Pier (Measuring fifty feet
wide by ninety-three feet long) and was situated some 1,400 feet away from
the lighthouse. The “Boathouse”
measured twenty feet by twelve feet six inches in plan. The rescue boat was
hoisted in and out of the water by block and tackle. The round iron “Oil House” was some twenty feet to the
rear of the keeper’s quarters and the foundation for the “Oil House” was constructed out of cut stone. The keeper’s quarters
housed the original oil room. When it was functional the room was capable of
holding forty-five, five gallon containers of oil. Sometime after 1902, the: “Old Oil Room” was converted to an: “Office” and a “Lamp Storage
Area.” On the 1st day of February 1909, Chas Bartlett, Chief
Clerk U.S. Lighthouse Service and Norris Works Superintendent of the Tenth
Lighthouse District were about to inspect all the station structures. After
completing their inspection both men determined the station was: “In Good Shape.” In 1916, the lighthouse
was: “Automated” and in 1922, it was:
“Decommissioned.” A few months later,
the U.S. Government sold the structure to a man in Toledo, Ohio for the sum of:
$35.00
a wrecking company out of Toledo, Ohio. They dismantled the structures and
loaded the materials aboard a barge called: “Three
Brothers.”
Keeper’s
History
Below
is a list of keeper’s that may have served at each of these lighthouses:
o
Major
John A. Whipple, Keeper from 1829 to 1836 (Died)
o
Lewis
Bond, Keeper
o
John
W. Anderson, Keeper
o
Captain
John Paxton, Keeper
o
Benjamin
Thisman, Keeper
o
Captain
Joseph Guyor, Keeper
o
Israel
Noble, Keeper
o
James
A. Mc Glenn, Keeper
o
Peter (“Uncle Peter”) Gussenbauer,
Keeper from 1888 to 1904 (Died at
Lighthouse)
o
Williams
Haynes, Keeper
o
August
Gramer, Keeper
o
August
H. Lauers, Keeper from ? to 1916 (Last
Lighthouse Keeper)
Author’s Final
Thoughts
Today
there are only remnants of these lighthouses left near the shores of the: “Raisin River” and as time goes on even
those remnants will also be: “Lost Forever.”
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